Water softening apparatus



Jan. 5, 1932.- w. H. GREEN WATER soFTENING4 APPARATUS Filed Aug. I2l., 192

M MM n@ Q Patented Jan. 5, 1932 UNITED 'smxrlszsv PATENT OFFICE .WALTER H. GREEN, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, IB'Y' MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE PERMUTIT COMPANY, 0F NE'W- YURK, N.. Y.; A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE WATER SOFTENING APJAIRAATUS Application med August 21, 1926. Serial No. 180,753.

i invention is to provide apparatus of simple construction and operation.

Other objects and advantages of the 1nvention will be better understood upon con-- i sideration of the following specification and the accompanying drawings wherein are depicted an apparatus of preferred formem-g bodying the essentialA features of the invention. y

In the drawingsl Fig. 1 represents a vertical sectional view of the casing of the apparatus and the related piping and valves which control the flow into and from the casing, the structure herein shown being designed for new installation;

, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken through the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 and showing in detail the perforated zeolite supporting plate and uid distributor;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the lower part of an old casing which has been redesigned for operation inaccordance with the'present invention; and

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrative i -of the built-up zeolite support and dis--4 tributor. Y With s ecial reference to Figs. 1 and 2 it will be o served that the casing 10 which I provide is in many respects similar to those' ich have been in general use heretofore, that is to say, the casing` is cylindrical vin section and has rounded top and bottom clo sure members 11 and 12 respectively. The cover member 11 has an opening in the center thereof into which is screwed 'a hollow cap member 13., The bottom member 12 is provided with a screw plug 14 which may be removed to permit complete drainage of the Vcasing if that is at any time desired.

The inlet,pipe 16 projects throu h the top of the cap 13 into the interior of t e casing, terminating somewhat short of the bottom of Y the casing. This inlet is provided with and controlled by the valve 17 Connected to the lower end of the inlet 16 and supported therebyis a rigid circular plate or diaphragm 18, the outer edge ofgwhich'is joinedto the bottom member 12 and which provides a support for the Zeolites 19. A layer of gravel 20 may be interposed between the zeolites and the plate 18. The diaphragm is provided with a plurality of perforations 21 which are fairly evenly distributed. The central opening 22 underlies the lowerend of the inlet pipe 16 and permits the entrance of liquid into the distribution chamber 23.

The cap 13 is providedwith a radially eX- ytending lug 25 which latter is screw-threaded to receive the inner end of the outlet pipe 26. Branch pipes 27 and 28, connected to 35l the T 29 and controlled respectively by the valves 31 and 32 direct the liquid leaving the casing either to the place of use or to waste.` The inlet 16 is connected with the water supply line and also with a supply of regen- 'I0 erating solution, not shown. In operation, hard water to be softened enters through the inlet 16 into the distribution chamber 23'at the bottom of the` casing, then passes up through theperforations 21 and up through 75 the zeolites 19 where it is softened, and leaves the casing through the cap 13, the outlet 26 and one of the branch pipes, for instance, the branch 27. In the water softening operation the valve' 32 would be closed. In order to prevent the formation of direct currents to theoutlet, a circular baile plate 35 is fastened to the inlet pipe 16 near the top of the casing. I, As is customary in large sized casings, the cover member 11 is provided with a. manhole and cover 36. I

After the zeolites have become exhausted of their capacity for softening water, the valve 31 is closedV and the valve 32vopened; and a regenerating solution such as sodium chloride brine is introduced through Ythe inlet 16. `'In accordance with well known practice the regenerating solution is passed through the casing at a lower rateof ow than the water tobe treated `or the wash-out 05 water. The rates of iiow may be controlled by manipulation of the valve 17, and/or either valve 31 or 32.

After the zeolites have been regenerated, wash water is introduced through the inlet 16 and displaees the regenerating solution, the Wash water also escaping through the' branch pipe 28. In order to start the next cycle of operation it is only necessary to close valve 32 and Vopen valve 31', so far as the casing is concerned.

It will thus be seen that the apparatus of this invention is composed of a minimum of parts and that the operation thereof is eX- tremely simple.

The equivalent of the diaphragm 18 may be built into the casing in the following manner: A series of iron strips 40, having their lengths and ends fashioned to rest upon the bottom member 12 and to lie substantially in the same plane are let in through the manhole 36 and arranged as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. These strips contain a plurality of screwthreaded perforations 4l into which are screwed short upstanding pipe sections 42. Because of the diiiiculty of handling within the interior et the casing, the strips 40 are not designed to lit together, and it is contemplated that there will be spaces between adj aeent strips. Cover strips or battens el? are placed over the spaces in order to provide an nnb-rohen door. The middle strip 40a will have a central epening Li3 arranged to align with the open end ot the inlet pipe i6. is thus arranged, the pipes 42 are closed with wooden plugs elle. Concrete is lnow poured over the `floor 'formed by the strips 40 the bat-tens l? to a depth inst below the tops ef the stub pipes After the concrete is set the wooden plugs 4C-4l are removed and replaced by perforated metal caps 45. Theobject ei the wooden plugs is to prevent the concrete fromiilling the stub pipes 4t2.

A plurality of anchor brackets i6 may be riveted or welded to the interior of the casing, the horizontally projecting portions being embedded in the concrete and serving as an additional support for the diaphragm.

In some cases it may be desirable to place, crosswise on top et the strips prior to the pouring of the concrete, channel members i8 which may be 'fastened to the plates by setscrews or otherwise.

I claim:

1. Water softening apparatus comprising a casing having-a top closure member surmounted by a hollow cap, an inlet projecting through the cap and terminating short of the bottom of the casing, an outlet connected to the cap, a perforated diaphragm associated with the lower end O' the inlet for directing liquid upwardly through the casing, zeolites supported above the diaphragm and a circular baille between the zeolites and the cap.

2. Water softening apparatus comprising a casing, an inlet projecting into the upper portion of the easing and 'terminating short or.' the bottom, an outlet from the upper porn tion oi the easing, diaphragm having a central opening cenneeted 'to the lower end or" the inlet, and zeolites supported above the diaphragm, said diaphragm comprising a Hoor of strips, 'supported at their'ends by a wall of the casing and having perforations therethrough, upstanding open ended pipes extending from the perforations, and a layer of concrete on the floor.

3. Water softeningapparatus comprising a casing, an inlet projecting intb the upper portion of the casing and terminating short of the bottom, an outlet from the upper portion of the casing, a diaphragm having a central opening connected to the lower end of the inlet, and zeolites supported above the diaphragm, said diaphragm comprising a floor of strips, supported at their ends by a wall of the casing and having perforations therethrough, upstanding open ended pipes extending from the perforations, perforated caps upon the upper ends of said pipes, and a layer of concrete on the iioor.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

WALTER H. GREEN. 

